What is thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities? Symptoms and treatment of this disease will be discussed later. You will also learn about what are the causes of this pathological condition and what is its prognosis.
Basic information
Thrombophlebitis is called inflammation of the venous wall, which is characterized by the formation of a thrombus. Such a disease can develop on the upper and lower extremities. Moreover, it can affect not only superficial, but also deep veins.
Causes of occurrence
Why does thrombophlebitis of the veins of the upper extremities occur ? Such a pathological condition can develop due to several factors at once. In traditional medicine, there are three reasons:
- Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities, the treatment of which should be carried out only by an experienced doctor, may occur due to a sharp increase in blood coagulation. This condition can contribute to childbirth, pregnancy, a genetic predisposition and the presence of diabetes.
- Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities, the symptoms of which are known to many, very often develops due to injuries of the inner walls of blood vessels. This usually happens during the wrong injection. In addition, radiation treatment and chemotherapy can cause injury.
- The third factor of this deviation is slow circulation. Usually it occurs against the background of the development of varicose veins, excess weight and limb immobility.
It is impossible not to say that the disease in question can occur against the background of several factors. For example, with a bone fracture, not only internal hemorrhage occurs, but also the level of blood coagulation increases significantly. As a result of such a pathological process, inflammation in the veins can develop.
Pathogenesis
How does thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities develop? Symptoms and treatment of this disease should be known to all patients prone to it. Most often, the disease in question develops after mechanical damage. Various injuries, gynecological or surgical operations, childbirth can provoke them. The basis of the pathogenesis of thrombophlebitis is the Virchow triad. As you know, it includes the endothelium of the vein wall, increased blood coagulability and slowed blood flow.
An important role in the development of such a disease is played by the vascular endothelium. This process is characterized by damage to the hands and the release of interleukins. The latter activate the cascade (coagulation) and platelets. As a result, the surface of the endothelium becomes thrombogenic. It should also be noted that tissue thromboplastins can also contribute to the formation of a thrombus. In large quantities, they enter the blood stream from damaged tissues.
In parallel with the described processes, compensatory mechanisms can also be started. These include complete, partial or spontaneous thrombolysis, as well as the formation of collateral circulation.
Symptoms
How is thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities manifested? Symptoms, photos and treatment of this ailment will be presented in this article.
Very often, such an inflammatory process develops due to varicose veins. Common symptoms of this disease are pain. They can be moderate and sharp. Redness also appears in the area where the vein is very well palpable. Over time, it becomes heavy and rough. In parallel with such processes, the patient's body temperature may rise.
It should be especially noted that superficial thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities does not constitute a particular danger. Detachment of a blood clot in this condition is impossible, therefore there is no threat to human life. However, it is very important to properly organize treatment and prevent the transition of the disease into the process of deep vein damage.
What other symptoms are characteristic of the disease in question? With thrombophlebitis, lymph nodes may increase. Also, severe pain syndromes are often observed in the direction of the affected vein.
Deep thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities
Most often, a deep vein lesion of a person occurs after intravenous administration of drugs that can lead to the development of irritation. Also, the cause of such thrombophlebitis is often getting a local injury and an insect bite. When deep veins are affected, hyperemia and infiltration are observed along their course. Visually, this process is quite similar to the crimson strip, which is located in the area of the inflammatory process. Painful palpation and the presence of dense nodules are immediately noted. Also in the affected area there is a so-called cord, which is represented by a noticeable seal.
In the event that the lesion encompasses vessels on the wrist or cubital veins, then the patient's joint mobility is impaired. This is due to severe pain. In addition, the process under consideration is almost always accompanied by an increase in temperature. With adequate therapy, thrombophlebitis recedes after about 12 days. During treatment, inflammation subsides, and the vein is completely restored.
Diagnostics
How is thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities diagnosed? Symptoms and treatment of this disease are determined by a narrow specialist - a phlebologist. He also diagnoses this disease. How does this happen? Such events are quite simple. They are carried out by means of ultrasound dopplerography and rheovasography. To obtain more accurate information, ultrasound duplex angioscanning is used. This process is carried out through color coding of blood flow.
Thanks to this diagnosis, it is possible to assess not only the state of the venous walls, but also their lumen. It is also possible to determine the thrombotic masses and the nature of the formed thrombus. Sometimes such methods make it possible even to judge the approximate “age” of a blood clot. By the way, an ultrasound scan of the veins under the skin reveals the extent of the thrombus.
As for laboratory diagnostics, it does not play a special role. Such methods make it possible to identify only the inflammatory process, while they do not fix in which organ the blood clot appeared.
Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities: symptoms and treatment
Signs of such a disease have been described above. How to treat him? Conservative therapy for thrombophlebitis is possible only if the lesion is small. With a deep vein disease, they often resort to surgical intervention. Drug therapy of this disease is aimed at preventing possible complications, as well as preventing the formation of a blood clot.
To eliminate inflammatory processes, resort to drugs such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and Aspirin. They not only eliminate inflammation, but also reduce swelling and reduce pain. Quite widely with thrombophlebitis, direct anticoagulants are used. They can improve blood flow (for example, Heparin, Fraxiparin and Enoxaparin). Also often resort to the help of thrombolytics.
With this disease, the patient needs bed rest. Affected upper limbs should be located on a raised platform. This normalizes blood flow and significantly reduces the risk of thromboembolism.
Forecast
Thrombophlebitis is a dangerous disease. Despite this, it is well treatable. If therapy was started on time, then the prognosis will be favorable.
After conservative treatment or surgery, blood flow usually returns to normal. But even after this, patients should take medication and use compression hosiery.